Axial-current-mode shock depoling of PZT 56/44 ferroelectric ceramic disks

Abstract

Gas-gun impact techniques have been used to investigate the electrical response of shock-depoled PZT 56/44 ferroelectric ceramic disks in the stress range rom 0.7 to 8.8 GPa. External short-circuit current pulses were measured as the shock wave propagated axially through the disk in a direction either parallel or antiparallel to the remanent polarization vector. Complete charge release was not observed in any of the shots. About 82% of the available charge was released for both orientations in the stress range from about 1.5 to 5.6 GPa. At stress levels of 6.8 and 8.8 GPa the charge release for the antiparallel orientation shots was less than for the parallel orientation shots. A series of electrical polarization reversal measurements was performed under nonshock conditions on PZT disks to estimate the electrical properties in the region ahead of the shock front. Maximum electric fields for the regions ahead of and behind the shock front were estimated to be 1–6 and 4–24 kV/mm, respectively, as the shock stress was increased.